Awakening

I sat cross-legged on the ground with Orochimaru-sensei supervising behind me, and began to form the hand seals slowly.

The first seal, the Rat seal.

Thumbs overlapped, with the left thumb on top.

I have formed this seal hundreds, thousands of times, and this time was no different; the chakra within my body flowed naturally, just as it had the first time I performed the Fireball Jutsu, gentle as a tide, moving in accordance with my will.

Very good, very stable, there were no issues at all.

Then the second seal, the Monkey seal!

Thumbs and little fingers parallel, hands crossed horizontally.

The moment this seal was formed, I sensed the flow of chakra beginning to accelerate, as if a thin stream had turned into a river, rushing turbulently and gathering in one place—the precursor to activating a ninjutsu.

The amount of chakra required for Lightning Release ninjutsu is truly different from other techniques! This volume is far too vast; it is terrifying!

I felt a bit apprehensive, my heart drumming against my ribs, but the presence of the power behind me calmed me down, allowing me to steady my mind and continue forming the seals.

Next is... Horse, Rat, Tiger, Snake!

The instant these three seals were completed, I felt my chakra boil over! It began to surge within my body, slowly seeping out as blue mist! I opened my eyes wide in surprise and was about to say something, but Orochimaru-sensei pressed down hard on my shoulders.

"Continue."

"Yes!"

I lowered my head, controlling my hands, and where my gaze fell, the sun was slowly sinking; the final rays of the sunset shone upon my fingertips, a crimson hue like blood, causing me to lose focus for a moment.

How strange, there is an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

It is as if, a long, long time ago, I had also practiced ninjutsu under such a sunset.

When was that?

"What are you dazing off for? Do not stop!"

Sensei's voice rang out like a thunderclap in my ears. I snapped back to reality, no longer hesitating, and my hands moved rapidly to form the seals. In an instant, a tingling sensation began to permeate my fingertips, and a thin, blue, mist-like current enveloped my entire body, causing my clothes to snap in the wind and bringing forth a surging power—!

I narrowed my eyes, nearly losing myself in the moment.

Just like the first time I performed a Fire Release, that wantonly flowing chakra coursed through my body, as if it were an extension of my own hands and feet; it was so exhilarating it made me want to shout!

It was different from the explosive heat of the Fire attribute, different from the biting pressure of the Wind attribute; the Lightning attribute chakra soaked into every part of me, as if every cell had awakened. They leaped and hummed, urging me on impatiently, making my fighting spirit boil!

Is this—Lightning Release?

"There is one last seal!"

Orochimaru commanded from behind, his voice low and hoarse, carrying an imperceptible excitement.

"Yes, Sensei."

I replied in a low voice, my hands preparing to close, when I suddenly felt dazed, my mind going blank.

"The last seal... the last seal..."

The last seal—

What is it?

Why can I not remember?

What is the last seal?

Suddenly, my head began to ache violently, and fragmented images flashed through my mind—like a dream, yet like a memory, hazily radiating a dim, yellow light.

"You've forgotten the last seal again."

In a trance, a voice appeared in my mind, carrying the warmth of the sunset.

"The Snake seal represents the end of all techniques, and also the beginning of all arts."

In the twilight, someone held my hands, teaching me the seals one by one, their voice as gentle as a loved one's, making me trust them instinctively.

"Forming the Snake seal is enough, do you remember?"

Do you remember?

Do... you remember?

"I remember, Brother."

"Akatsuki, what are you dazing off for? Form the Snake seal quickly!"

Orochimaru's voice roared in my ears. I snapped back to reality, my hands still held in the seal position, motionless!

I, actually lost focus? I actually lost focus at a time like this?

"Right, the Snake seal, the Snake seal!"

Seeing the hand gesture, I finally reacted, feeling incredibly annoyed. No longer hesitating, my palms snapped together, ten fingers aligned!

"Snake seal!"

The moment the final seal was completed, the wind stopped.

The next instant, I clearly felt something break out of its shell within my body! It was tingling, flowing along with my blood, bringing with it the breath of life. It felt as if, wherever it flowed, it was healing and activating my frail flesh inch by inch.

That was the moment the Lightning-style chakra, deeply hidden within my body for six years, was finally activated. It was my primary life energy, surging with an indescribable intensity, bringing a joy that defied words.

I lowered my head, hearing the sound of my own heartbeat clearly for the first time—thump, thump, thump—beating in a rhythmic cadence. With every pulse, chakra began to flow along the correct paths; no longer wandering aimlessly through my body, they followed an ancient will, slowly condensing into true power. It first braced my skeleton, then activated my cells, then coated my skin, and finally gathered outside my body—

"Is... this... Lightning Release?"

I kept my head bowed, my eyes growing moist.

I did not know why, but even though this was my first time coming into contact with a Lightning-style ninjutsu, I felt an incomparable familiarity, as if... as if...

As if it had belonged to me all along.

Just like the moment I first laid eyes on Murasame, I knew it was meant for me.

I savored the sensation for a long time before slowly opening my eyes. I plunged my hands into the soil, grabbing a handful of dry sand. It was the most mundane of actions, yet it felt extraordinary.

My body, at this moment, was tough and powerful.

I spread my fingers, watching the grains of sand fall one by one, feeling a sense of immense novelty. I seemed to be able to see the indigo luster flowing slowly through my meridians. I clenched my fist tightly, my knuckles cracking; it was completely different from my previously frail physique. A constant stream of chakra filled my bones and meridians, bringing with it enduring strength and vitality!

"The second stage right from the start?"

A flash of astonishment crossed the eyes of Orochimaru. He grabbed my shoulders, and emerald-green chakra flowed into my body, as if probing for something.

"To succeed on the first attempt—even among that batch from the Land of Sea, there was no one of this caliber..."

I didn't catch his words, focused entirely on studying the power in my palms.

The lightning attribute there was the easiest to control; a slight manipulation caused it to flow faster, even bringing a stinging, scorching sensation, as if it wanted to pierce through skin and flesh to manifest in the air!

Is this... a forbidden jutsu?

Why... do I feel it resembles medical ninjutsu? The chakra flowed through my body with such precision, much like the physical therapy of my past life, silently repairing the damaged functions of my body.

"Alright, Akatsuki. Now, try to regulate them. Do not be careless." After observing for a while and confirming there were no issues, Orochimaru withdrew his hand and began ordering me to continue my training.

"Yes!"

I was brimming with excitement. I formed the seals and attempted to manipulate the flow. Very quickly, the lightning-attribute chakra in my meridians and bones began to stir. It extended from the inside out, nourishing my muscles and causing my cells to pulse; my body became full and powerful.

I focused my senses and discovered that most of the lightning-attribute chakra was condensing in the vulnerable parts of my body, such as my abdomen and heart, seemingly acting as a layer of protection.

Wonderful. With this layer of defense, my body could withstand blows far more powerful than before!

I stood up under my teacher's surprised gaze. The chakra throughout my body began to circulate; a portion gathered in my legs, adhering to the bones, while another portion merged into my muscles to support my movements.

I took two unsteady steps and discovered that the chakra flowed like water. Wherever I exerted force, it permeated, as natural as if it were a part of my own body!

I gradually felt its familiarity, as if it had been with me since the day I was born, and the hand seals were merely a key helping me unlock this door.

"How magical... this jutsu..."

It was neither taijutsu nor typical ninjutsu, yet my body and physical capabilities were clearly enhanced by the lightning-attribute chakra...

Is this... Nintaijutsu!

"Heh, truly incredible..." Orochimaru stepped back twice, then suddenly gripped my shoulders, attempting to twist my arm just as he had done before!

I had a premonition, but my body reacted even faster than my mind. Using his own force against him, I leaped backward, twisting out of his grip with extraordinary ease!

"You've learned to climb trees, Akatsuki." Orochimaru smiled with ill intent and suddenly threw a kunai that grazed my cheek!

Before I could react, he attacked. I instinctively dodged left and right, surprisingly evading his continuous strikes and landing steadily on the ground!

The fact that I had dodged him several times in a row left me utterly astonished!

One had to remember, I had previously been nothing but a punching bag!

Orochimaru wore a satisfied smile, and then, his speed suddenly increased! This time, I couldn't react in time and was kicked into the air, only to have my throat seized as he pressed me straight down!

As I was about to collide with the hard rock, I violently twisted my body. Driven by chakra, I kicked Orochimaru at an impossible angle! I slashed at him with the kunai in my hand, but only managed to tear his clothes. Fortunately, it forced him back, allowing me to break free and land shakily.

"Heh... such progress... truly remarkable."

Orochimaru glanced at his damaged clothing. Something seemed to flicker in his eyes, and his tone held a nuance I couldn't quite decipher.

"Akatsuki, I think you won't have to worry about your taijutsu or swordsmanship for much longer."

I looked at him, my eyes filled with confusion.

"Because your attainments in ninjutsu are enough to compensate for any of your shortcomings."

As he spoke, Orochimaru drew his Kusanagi Sword. The blade was coated in emerald-green wind-attribute chakra, sharp and cold.

"Your talent is beyond compare."

These words struck like a bomb deep within my heart. On the surface, I remained calm, but beneath the depths, a thousand waves had already been stirred.

I looked at the scrap of fabric I had torn from my teacher's robe, and after a brief moment of stunned silence, I suddenly began to laugh.

Looking straight at my teacher, I suddenly felt a sense of ultimate confidence. It was true confidence, a solid foundation—a luster polished over time and years, the sharpness and spirit accumulated by a person from childhood to youth.

A youth's ambition is never something that can be established just because one wishes it.

In my past life, I never understood why the Uchiha clan was so arrogant and combative, fighting the Senju from the moment of their birth, attempting to rebel even after being incorporated into Konoha, and engaging in internal strife even when they had no enemies left. Their thousand-year history was almost entirely paved with war and slaughter.

But now, I know.

If you are born with the most superior bloodline, if you can effortlessly negate the decade-long efforts of others, if you can attain immense power all on your own, and if you know you possess the ability to overturn the world.

Then, by what right would you be content to remain beneath others?

I felt a desire spreading from the depths of my heart, fiery and scalding, nearly burning my entire body a deep red.

I do not know what kind of feeling this is.

But at this moment, I looked up and met Orochimaru's gaze directly; my timidity and shrinking vanished without a trace, and for the first time, I had the courage to duel.

"Come, Teacher."

Suddenly, I was no longer afraid.

"Hehe... such courage."

Orochimaru stood with his blade, his eyes filled with undisguised excitement.

"Then let me see to what extent you can push this technique." He stepped forward, shedding his sodden robe to reveal the black bodysuit underneath, which clung to his lean yet muscular torso as his battle intent surged instantly!

"Though I must warn you, in all the practical combat here, there is a possibility of death."